Computing In The Long Term

An investment in the technology giant IBM could teach investors a lesson in patience.

- Peet Serfontein

I have always been a champion of technology and I remember clearly when a former divisional head, years ago, once said to me that I am too “automated”. With a background in programming, what else could he expect? I can understand his fear of technology and his great aversion to such an ‘evil’ concept back then. He has since retired, luckily, because, during the lockdown, we didn’t revert to carrier pigeons to communicate with one another – we used Zoom to hold meetings.

Technology can be used to improve critical thinking and literacy skills. Currently, virtually everything that forms part of the 21st century is online and the benefits resulting from technology are multiplicative.

A consequence of technology is of course computers, which form an integral part of our lives. But, unfortunately, these devices consume a certain amount of energy per bit to do calculations. If we look at the current curve for energy consumption, a shortage is predicted by 2040. We are already seeing growing interest in green energy, which of course demands a fundamental reduction in energy consumption. This is where quantum computers come in.